Robert Villegas, 41, of Oceanside, was listed on an event flyer as the tournament host. He was convicted in 2007 in Orange County on a misdemeanor charge of annoying and molesting a child, court records show. In December 2017, he was arrested in San Diego County for failing to register as a sex offender on time.

“Since 2007, he has been required to register as a sex offender and was in full compliance for 10 years, but missed one registration (was four months late). When he came in to register, he was arrested,” said Steve Walker, a spokesman for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

In March 2018, Villegas pleaded guilty to an infraction for not registering on time, according to the San Diego DA’s office. He paid a fine.

After U-T Watchdog questioned Villegas’ involvement in the tournament, a member of the organization sponsoring the event said that Villegas was asked to step aside.

“He was never involved in it with the kids or as a coach with our organization,” said Yogi Leake with the State of California Wrestling Alliance for the Youth. “He was just helping with marketing for that one tournament. But, as soon as we found out he had an issue, he was asked to no longer be a part of it.”

Leake said the event’s sponsoring organization will be expanding its criminal background checks to include all people involved with tournaments.

“This is something we take very seriously,” said Leake said. “We are investigating the situation, and we will take appropriate action.”

Specifically, Leake said, the organization is investigating how Villegas’ history didn’t show up on any background check.

“He is no longer part of the tournament,” Leake said. “He never had any involvement with kids ... it was strictly marketing that tournament. As soon as we found out he had a background, we told him, ‘We can’t do this.’”

Some 575 wrestlers participated in 2018, according to an online video promoting the event. Villegas said by telephone that he he stayed away from the children participating in the tournament.

His name, email and direct mobile phone number were listed on the registration flyer for the tournament.

When asked about his prior criminal charges, Villegas said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

As of last week, a Facebook page for the Gridiron Grind featured videos of Villegas interviewing young teenagers and encouraging them to roll out a mat. After the Watchdog contacted Villegas about the event, three videos featuring him were removed from the event’s Facebook page.

An Oceanside police detective said Villegas is no longer bound by any conditions of probation that would prevent him from interacting with children or hosting youth sporting events. The Orange County DA’s office said an investigator is researching the matter.

“Mr. Villegas has a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender because of the prior misdemeanor,” Walker said. He added that Villegas last registered his Oceanside residence on Monday, Nov. 5, so he is in compliance with his sex offender registration requirements, under the law.

Leake said Villegas was never a part of the broader youth sporting organization and was only helping out with that one event.